DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large CataloKue Free. 



DRAMAS, COMEDIES, 
ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. 

M. F. 

Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 

acts. 2V2 hrs (2Sc) 8 8 

Abbu San of Old Japan, 2 dcts, 

1 hrs. ..; (25c) 15 

After the Game, 2 acts, \Va, 

hrs. (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 4 4 

All for the Cause, 1 act, 154 

hrs (25c) 10 

All on Account of Polly, 3 acts, 

21/4 hrs (2Sc) 6 10 

And Home Came Ted, 3 acts, 

2>4 hrs (35c) 6 6 

Arizona Cowboy, 4 acts, 2!4 

hrs (25c) 7 5 

As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 

IVi hrs (25c) 9 7 

At the End of the Rainbow, 3 

acts, 2J4 hrs.; (25c) 6 14 

Boy Scout Hero, 2 acts, 1J4 hrs. 

(25c) 17 

Boy Scouts' Good Turn, 3 acts, 

13^ hrs (25c) 16 2 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2J4 

hrs (25c) 7 3 

Brotlier Tosiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Busy Liar, 3 acts, ZVx h. (25c) 7 4 
Call of the Colors, 2 acts, 1 Vi 

hrs (25c) 4 10 

Call of Wohelo, 3 acts, IM 

hrs (25c) 10 

Camouflage of Shirley, 3 acts, 

2Va hrs (3Sc) 8 10 

Civil Service, 3 acts, 214 hrs. 

(25c) 6 5" 

College Town, 3 acts, 2;4 

hrs (25c) 9 8 

Daughter of the Desert, 4 

acts, 254 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Deacon Dubbs, 3 acts, 2% hrs. 

(25c) 5 5 

Deacon Entangled, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2'/2 

hrs (25c) 8 4 

Dream That Came True, 3 

acts, 2Va hrs (2Sc) 6 13 

Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr (25c) 10 

Enchanted Wood, I54 h.(35c).Optnl. 
Everyyouth, 3 acts, IJ^ h. (25c) 7 6 
Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

Fifty-Fifty, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (3Sc) 6 8 
For the' Love of Johnny, 3 

acts, 2^ hrs (35c) 6 3 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

Wz hrs (25c) 9 14 



Her Honor, the Mayor, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 3 S 

High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 12 

Indian Days, 1 hr (50c) 5 2 

In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2J4 

hrs (25c) 6 4 

Jayville Junction, 1% hrs. (25c) 14 17 
Kicked Out of College, 3 acts, 

2% hrs (25c)10 9 

Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 

acts, 2J4 hrs (2Sc) 6 12 

Lady of the Library, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) S 10 

Laughing Cure, 2 acts, IJi hrs. 

(25c) 4 5 

Lighthouse Nan, 3 acts, 2^4 

hrs ....(25c) 5 4 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2]A hrs. 

(2Sc) 7 4 

Little Clodhopper, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 3 4 

Mirandy's Minstrels. .. .(25c) Optnl. 
Mrs. Tubbs Does Her Bit, 3 

acts, ZYt, hrs (25c) 7 7 

Mrs. Tubbs of Shantytown, 3 

acts, 214 hrs (25c) 4 7 

Old Fashioned Mother, 3 acts, 

254 hrs (25c) 6 6 

Old Maid's Club, 1^ hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (2Sc) 8 6 

Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

Wi hrs (2Sc)12 9 

On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

2y2. hrs (2Sc)10 4 

Poor Married Man, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2j4 h.(25c) 7 4 
Real Thing After All, 3 acts, 

2^ hrs (35c) 7 9 

Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 2\^ 

hrs (2Sc)10 12 

Ruth in a Rush, 3 acts,- 254 

hrs (35c) 7 9 

Safety First, 3 acts, 

254 hrs. (25c) 5 5 

Savageland, 2 acts, 2J4 hrs. (50c) 5 5 
Southern Cinderella, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 

Spark of iife, 3 acts, 

2 hrs. (25c) 4 4 

Spell of the Image, 3 acts, 2J4 

hrs (25c) 10 10 

Star Bright, 3 acts, 2V2 h. (25c) 6 5 
Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Thread of Destiny, 3 acts, 25^ 

hrs (25c) 9 16 

Tony, the Convict, 5 acts, 2J4 

hrs (2Sc) 7 4 



T.S.DENISON&COMPANY,Publishers.154W. Randolph St.. Chicago 



Before the Play Begins 



A COMEDY IN ONE ACT 



BY 

GEORGIA EARLE 

AUTHOR OF 

'Gettin' Acquainted," "The Lie that Jack Built," "The Villain," 
"Hitchiii' I'p Amos." "The Porchclinibcr." "The Love- 
joy Twins," "The Rented Lady," etc. 

CO-AUTHOR 

'The Mark of the Beast" (Produced at the Princess Theatre, 
New York City) 




CHICAGO 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY 

Publishers 



BEFORE THE PLAY BEGlfNJS 



'^^W 



CHARACTERS. 

Kate Lambert The "Leading Lady" 

Jack Sylvester The "Leading Man" 

Fred Lambert Kate's Brother, the "Stage Manager" 



Time — To nig Jit, 8 p. m. 

Place — The Reading Room off the Alain Library at 
BramJiill College. 

Time of Playing — About Fifteen Minutes. 



COSTUMES. 

Kate and Jack wear the wigs and costumes of the 17th 
Century. He wears a sword. -Fred is in modern clothes, 
without a coat. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means right of stage; C, center; R. C, right center; 
L., left; I E., first entrance; U. E., upper entrance; R. 5 E., 
right entrance, up stage, etc. ; D. F., door in flat, or scene 
running across the back of the stage; up stage, away from 
footlights ; down stage, near footlights. The actor is sup- 
posed to be facing the audience. 

-^ TMP96-007248 

COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY GEORGIA EARLE. 

OCT 29 m 



BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 



The scene is a reading room ojf the main library at Bram- 
hill College. There are some book cases against a tvall, a 
reading table or two, littered zvith books and magazines, 
and several easy chairs. There is a door in the back zvall, 
left of center. There is another door left i E. The elec- 
tric light switch is in the wall at about L. 2 E. 

As the curtain rises, the stage is dark and empty of 
people. 

Kate Lambert enters, hastily, holds the door open and 
looks out into the hall. She is about twenty years old and 
is dressed in the wig and costume of the 17th century. 

Kate {speaking in a guarded tone to someone outside). 
Hurry! Come in quick before anyone sees you! And be 
careful with that sword ! You're making an awful noise. 

Enter Jack Sylvester, a young man of about twenty- 
three. He is dressed in a costume of the same period and 
wears a sword. He closes the door. They both listen 
intently. 

Kate. I don't hear anyone coming! Do you? 

Jack. No. 

Kate. You're sure nobody saw us? 

Jack. Don't believe so. 

Kate (grabbing his arm in a sudden panic). 'Sh! 

Jack. What's the matter? 

Kate. I thought I heard someone! 

Jack. You didn't. {Moves down stage.) 

Kate {ivith a sigh of relief). Thank goodness! 

Jack. My, but it's dark here! Where's that switch? 

Kate {pointing to wall L.). Over there on the wall. 
I'm dreadfully nervous, aren't you? 

Jack {going over and turning on the switch; the lights 
go up). Rather. 



4 BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 

Kate. That's better! (Briskly.) Now let's move the 
furniture out of the way so we can rehearse that Corridor 
scene first of all. (They take hold of the table and move it 
up stage.) That's the one that worries me so. We've never 
once been through it properly, you know, they do guy so ! 
(They shove the cJiairs up stage.) 

Jack. I know. 

Kate. Well, I'd like to do it right just once before the 
audience sees, us ! The audience ! Oooo-oh ! it gives me a 
cold chill to think of it! 

Jack. It isn't the audience I mind ! It's our own bunch ! 

Kate. I know! They're perfectly awful! (Coming 
cfozvn to him.) Why do you suppose people have to act as 
if it was all so — personal? 

Jack (trying to take her hand — sentimentally). But 
isn't it — just a little — personal with us? 

Kate (nervously draxving away her hands). Now, Jack! 
Really, you know, we haven't very much time before the 
play begins, and Fred'or someone may interrupt any minute. 

Jack (promptly). All right! Go to it! (He goes down 
stage, extreme L.) Now I come on from way over here. 

Kate (standing R. of C). And the staircase is here! 

Jack. Ready? 

Kate. Uh-huh. 

Jack (coming C. with a long stride and speaking in a 
rather forced voice, zmth an elocutionary manner). "'Tis 
here I'm to meet her! In the corridor, near the long stair- 
case, at eight by the clock, her letter reads. 'Tis after eight, 
and yet — she cometh not !" 

Kate (in a loud stage whisper). "Eustace!" 

Jack (looking up, supposedly up the staircase, dramat- 
ically). "Myrtilla!" (Kate makes three or four steps in 
one place to indicate running down stairs. She stops as 
though hesitating.) 

Jack. "Myrtilla, I am here! Fear not, 'tis I, thy Eus- 
tace!" 

Kate (taking a few more up and dotvn steps as she sup- 
posedly finishes the flight). "Eustace, my own!" 



BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 5 

Jack. "My beloved!" {They start to rush into each 
other's arms and then stop dead, embarrassed. Brief 
pause. Jack making a heroic dive at her). "My beloved!" 

Kate (backing azi'ay and laughing consciously). Oh, I 
thought I heard Bertie m the hall! You don't suppose he's 
listening at the keyhole, do you? {She starts up tozvard the 
aoor up stage.) 

Jack. No, I don't. Come back here! (She turns and 
comes back.) Now let's try it over again! 

Kate. All right, let's ! 

Jack. And we're supposed to be really in love, you know, 
and not afraid of each other ! 

Kate (meekly). Yes, I know, bul I did think I heard 
Bertie, honestly! We'll just do the embrace again. Ready! 
"Eustace, my own !" 

Jack. "My beloved!" (They fly info each other's arms 
so enthusiastically that they stop and laugh.) 

Kate (tak'.ng her arms from around his neck). Oh, my 
goodness, that must have looked awfully funny ! 

Jack (putting her arms back around his neck again). 
Never mind, go on with the scene or we'll never get through ! 

Kate (dramatically). "Why so late, dearest? I've 
waited for thee till each mouse in the wainscot seemed an 
army come to destroy me!" (Taking her arm dozvn and 
speaking in her natural voice.) See here. Jack, I can't 
stand with my arms around your neck all that time. It 
would look foolish ! 

Jack. I don't think that's long. 

Kate. Don't you ? Well, I do ! 

Jack. I certainly want my arms arovmd you during the 
next speech. "Sweetheart, I had to contest my v/ay" — 

Kate. Jack, you ought to say "Me way." 

Jack (argumentatively). Why? 

Kate. They all do it. It's poetic ! 

Jack. Well, I won't ! It's silly ! It's bad enough to have 
to spout all the rest of this piffle Isabel McGlyn wrote. I 
suppose she thinks she's the coming Americc.n dramatist ! 



6 BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 

Kate. Maybe she is ! You boys are sore because a girl's 
play was chosen ! 

Jack, We aren't, either! 

Kate. Never mind. Anyhow, you can't embrace me 
through that whole speech. We'll just embrace at the be- 
ginning and then I'll come over here and say my speech. 
{She crosses down R.) "Why so late, dearest" — 

Jack {interrupting, sarcastically) . That's very sensible, 
I must say! But of course, if you know more than the stage 
manager — 

Kate. Stage manager ! Pooh — my brother Fred ! I 
guess I know as much as he does any day in the week if 
he is a real actor. 

Jack {starting over L.). Let's go back and start over! 

Kate. No! {He stops, turns and comes hack.) Start 
with your speech. I'm over here. Go on. 

Jack. "Sweetheart!" — {protestingly). This isn't right, 
I can feel it — "Sweetheart, I had to contest my way" — 

Kate. J^fe way ! 

Jack. '^My way" — I wish you wouldn't interrupt — "My 
way with a certain villain — none other than thy cousin 
Lionel" — {crossly). Say, Kate, are you going to stand with 
your back to me? 

Kate. I think — 

Jack. Well, I think you ought to look at me, or come 
toward me or do something to indicate that I am un the 
map. I might as well be talking to myself! {Turns sud- 
denly and nearly falls over his sword.) 

Kate. Oh, do be careful or you'll fall over that sword. 
That would look fine ! 

Jack {disgusted). Now you've got me all mixed up. 
1 don't know where I was ! I never can remember the speech 
anyhow. {Tries to remember.) "None other than thy 
cousin Lionel, who swore that I should reach thy side only 
over his dead body — dead body — dead body" — oh, what the 
— excuse me ! 

Kate {haughtily). You'd better ! 

Jack. "Dead body"— 



BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 7 

Kate. Go on ! 

Jack. I can't. I'm stuck. 

Kate. Gracious ! Suppose you do that at the perform- 
ance ! Start at the beginning and see if you can't remember ! 

Jack {looking straight ahead of him and repeating like 
a parrot). "Sweetheart, I had to contest my way — contest 
my way — with a certain ruffian, none other than thy cousin 
Lionel — cousin Lionel who swore that I should reach thv 
side only over his dead body — dead body" — there, I'm stuck 
again ! 

Kate. Oh! Oh!! (He looks at her.) 1 guess I'm the 
one. It's my turn ! 

Jack (brigJitening up). So it is. I thought it was funny 
I couldn't remember. 

Kate (dramatically). "Me cousin Lionel? Eustace, 
what have you done? He is not dead?" 

Jack. "No, sweet one, not dead, but the leech must visit 
him, ere he again try conclusions with thy Eustace!" {He 
walks proudly dozi'n L.) 

Kate. "Eustace, thou hast fought with Lionel" — Now, 
Jack, you mustn't walk away from me there ! I have to 
throw myself into your arms again ! 

Jack {disdainfully). Again I LTumph ! Well, you'll just 
have to run after me, then. 

Kate. Run after you? I should say not! 

Jack. It says "goes down left" in my part, and I have 
some respect for the stage manager if you haven't. 

Kate {plaintively) . But how can I throw myself in your 
arms if your back is turned toward me? 

Jack {dignifiedly — folding his arms). You turned your 
liack on mie ! 

Kate {tearfully) . Well, I turned round when you asked 
me ! 

Jack. Very well, then, I'll turn around at the end of 
the speech. 

Kate. "Eustace, thou hast fought — and with me cousin 
Lionel — now indeed will me stern sire never forgive thee !" 
(She throws herself in his arms.) 



8 BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 

Jack (holding her very tight). "Sweetheart!" (Kisses 
her. ) 

Kate (trying to break azvay). Jack Sylvester, that kiss 
isn't in the part ! 

Jack. Well, it ought to be ! That's the way I feel it ! I 
know I'd kiss you if it were I ! 
"Kate (^//7/ struggling). But it isn't you — it's Eustace! 

Jack (placatingly). Now, Kate, I admit Eustace is a 
chump, but I won't admit he's that much of a chump. Even 
Eustace would know a good chance if he saw it! 

Kate (trying not to laugh). Now, Jack, you know — 

Jack (hastily). Let's get on with the scene! "Sweet- 
heart!" (Kisses her, goes on very hastily.) '"Tis not thy 
sire's forgiveness I crave, but thine !" 

Kate. "Mine thou hast!" (Pertly.) Eustace has, you 
haven't ! 

Jack. "Then fly with me — tonight — my steed waits with- 
out — there is clear road to the border and then — 

Kate. "Nay, nay, my Eustace, I dare not!" (Tries to 
break from his arms.) 

Jack. Hold on, you don't break away yet! (Very sen- 
timentally.) "Myrtilla, dost thou love me?" 

Kate. "Love thee? Mayhap. (Turning eoquettishly 
away from him.) But I would be sure of thy love!" 

Jack (intensely). "Then I will swear" — 

Kate (lightly). "Swear? Faith, all men do that? 'Tis 
a surer love test I demand !" 

Jack (suddenly and practically). On the level, Kate, 
what kind of a love test would you want? 

Kate. Don't be silly. How do I know ? Go on with the 
piece. 

Jack. Where the deuce were we? — oh, yes! "'Tis no 
time for tests ! Time flies, Myrtilla, even now our way may 
be blocked !" Gee, Eustace's trolley system must have been 
just like ours. I waited fifteen minutes for a car tonight ! 

Kate. Go on, idiot ! 

Jack. "Blocked — blocked" — oh, yes— umm— "I have 



BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 9 

risked death to reach thy side this night ! Is not that test 
enough ?" 

Kate. "Nay, 'twas not love of me, but of the Goddess 
Adventure who brought thee into peril this night. \\'hat 
wilt thou do for me alone ?" 

Jack {folding his arms, grimly). "Die, an' thou con- 
tinue so perverse, fair lady !" 

Kate (shrieking zvith laughter). For goodness sake, 
Jack, if you look as funny as that when you say that speech, 
the audience will simply howl ! 

Jack (miffed). Thanks! 

Kate. Don't get mad about it ! I thought you'd like to 
know! (Patronizingly.) I just told you for your own good ! 

Jack. Thanks again ! Where were we ? 

Kate. I don't know. 

Jack. It's not my turn. 

Kate. I guess it's mine. What did you say last? 

Jack (still annoyed — stiffly). I'm not going to repeat it. 

Kate (beginning to laugh again). Oh, I remember. 
"Perverse, an' this to thy lady love before marriage, what 
wilt thou not say afterwards! Oh, thou brute!" (Goes 
doTvn stage R.) 

Jack (follozving her). "Myrtilla !" 

Kate. "Nay, nay, be still ! I will not listen !" 

Jack. "Myrtilla !" 

Enter Fred Lambert from door L. C. His hair is tousled, 
his coat off, his shirt sleeves rolled up, he is the frenzied, 
perspiring stage manager. 

Fred. For the love of heaven, you two, come on ! We've 
been looking everywhere for you ! Everyone's waiting ! 
(He exits.) 

Kate (starting to run to the door). Mercy me! 

Jack. Kate! (She turns.) We haven't finished the 
scene ! 

Kate. There isn't time! Come on! (Runs to the door.) 

Jack. Wait a minute. I want to ask you something 
first. 



10 BEFORE THE PLAY BEGINS 

Kate. Ask me afterwards. (She exits.) 

Jack (loudly). No! 

Kate reappearing in the door. 

Kate. Aren't you coming? 

Jack. Not till you answer my question. 

Kate (going dozvn to Jiini). Well, what is it? 

Jack. You know this chump Eustace finally gets his 
Myrtilla ? 

Kate. Well ? 

Jack. Before we go any further I want to know if I get 
mine ? 

Kate (airily). That depends upon who your Myrtilla 
is ! (Turns to go.) 

Jack (taking Jier hand firmly and speaking meaningly) . 
You know ! 

Kate, Oh, Jack, this is so sudden! (She laughs and 
tries to run away.) 

Jack (pulling her back). No you don't. Come back 
here! Do I? 

Kate (trying to pull aivay). Jack, they're waiting! 

Jack. Let 'em wait ! Do I ? 

Kate (not looking at Jiirn, still frying to pull away). Do 
you what? 

Jack. Do I get you? 

Kate. Yes! (Tries to run away.) 

Jack. Kate! (Grabs her and kisses her.) 

Fred (bawling off stage). First Act!!! 

Jack (striking a heroic attitude). Myrtilla, my love! 

Kate (in his arms). Eustace, my own! 

Fred (bazvls — outside). Places! Everybody! 

Kate (grabbing Jack's hand). Oh, do hurry! Hurry! 

(They run off stage as the curtain falls.) 
Curtain. 



Safety First 



By SHELDON PARMER 

Price, 25 Cents 

Farce-comedy, in 3 acts; 5 males, 5 females. Time, 2^4: hours. 
Scenes: A parlor and a garden, easily arranged. A sprightly 
farce "TuU of action and with a unifiue plot teeming with unex- 
pected turns and twists tliat will make tlie audience wonder "wliat 
on eartli is coming next." Beliind tlie fun and movement lurks 
a great moral: Always tell the trutli to your wife. The cast 
includes tliree young men, a funny policeman, a terrible Turk, 
two young ladies, a society matron, a. Turkish maiden and Mary 
O'Finnigan, the Irish cook. The antics of the terror-stricken 
husband, the policeman, the dude and the Irisli cook start the 
audience smiling at 8:15 and send them home with aching sides 
from the tornado of fun at 10:40. Suitable for performance any- 
where, but recommended for lodges, clubs and schools. Not a 
coarse or suggestive line in the play. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Jack's lil suburban home. A misplaced husband. "He 
kissed me good-bye at eighteen minutes after seven last night, 
and I haven't laid eyes on him since." The Irish maid is full 
of sympatliy but she imagines a crime has been committed. 
Elmer, tlie college boy, drops in. And the terrible Turk drops 
out. "Sure. the boss has eloped wid a Turkey!" Jerry and Jack 
come home "after a horrible night. Explanations. "We joined the 
Shriners, I'm the Exalted Imported Woggle and Jack is the Ba- 
zook!" A detective on the trail. Warrants for Jolin Doe, Richard 
Roe and Mary Moe. "We're on our way to Florida!" 

Act II. — A month later. Jack and Jerry reported drowned at 
sea. The Terrible Turk looking for Zuleika. The return of the 
prodigals. Ghosts! Some tall explanations are in order. "I never 
was drowned in all my life, was I, Jerry?" "We were lashed to 
a mast and we floated and floated and floated!" A couple of 
heroes. The Terrible Turk hunting for Jack and Jerry. "A Turk 
never injures an insane man." Jack feigns insanity. "We are 
leaving this roof forever!" The end of a perfect day. 

Act III. — Mrs. Bridger's garden. Elmer and Zuleika start on 
their honeymoon. Mabel forgives Jack, but her mamma does not. 
They decide to elope. Jerry's scheme works. The two McNutts. 
"Me middle name is George Washington, and I cannot tell a 
lie." The detective falls in the well. "It's his ghost!" Jack and 
Jerry preparing for the elopement. Mary Ann appears at the 
top of the ladder. A slight mistake. "It's a burglar, mum, I've 
got him!" The Terrible Turk finds his Zuleika. Happiness at last. 

Foiled, By Heck! 

By FREDERICK G. JOHNSON 

Price, 25 Cents 

A truly rural drama, in 1 scene and several dastardly acts; 
3 males, 3 females. Time. 35 minutes. Scene: The mortgaged 
home of the homespun drama, between sunup and sundown. 
Characters: Reuben, a nearly self-made man. His wife, who 
did the rest. Their perfectly lovely daughter. Clarence, a rustic 
hero, by ginger! Olivia, the plaything of fate, poor girl. Syl- 
vester, with a viper's heart. Curses! Curses! Already he has 
the papers. A screaming travesty on the old-time "b'gosh" drama. 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishe/s 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



An Old Fashioned Mother 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 
Price, 25 Cents 

The dramatic parable of a mother's love, in 3 acts; 6 males, 
6 females, also the village choir or quartet and a group of «ilent 
villagers. Time, 214 hours. One scene: A sitting room. A play 
of rigliteousness as pure as a mother's kiss, but with a moral 
that will be felt by all. Contains plenty of good, wholesome 
comedy and drainatic scenes that will interest any audience. 
Male Characters: The county sheriff; an old hypocrite; the selfish 
elder son; the prodigal younger son; a tramp and a comical coun- 
try boy. Female Characters: The mother (one of the greatest 
sympathetic roles ever written for amateurs); the village belle; 
the sentimental old maid; the good-hearted hired girl; a village 
gossip and a little girl of nine. Especially suited for church, 
Sunday school, lodge or school performance. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act. I. — The Good Samaritan. Aunt Debby's farmhouse in late 
March. The Widder rehearses the village choir. Sukey in trouble 
witli the old gray tabby cat. "Slie scratched me. I was puttin' 
flour on her face for powder, jest like you do!" Lowisy Custard 
reads her original poetry and Jerry Gosling drops in to see if 
there are to be any refreshments. "That's jest what maw says!" 
Lowisy and Jonali pass the fainting tramp by tlie wnyside and 
Deborah rebukes them with the parable of tlie Good Samaritan. 
The tramp's story of downfall due to drink. "A poor piece of 
driftwood blown hither and thither by the rough winds of ad-, 
versify." John, Deborah's youngest son, profits by tlie tramp's 
experience. "From this moment no drop of liquor shall ever pass 
my lips." John arrested. "I am innocent, and wlien a man can 
face his God, he needn't be afraid to face tlie law!" 

Act II. — A Mother's Love. Same scene but three years later, 
a winter afternoon. "Colder'n blue and purple blazes and snowin' 
like sixty." Jerry's engagement ring. "Is it a di'mond? Bf it 
ain't I'm skun out of two shillin'." "I been sparkin' her fer 
nigh onto four years, Huldy Sourapple, big fat gal, lives over 
at Hookworm Crick." Deliorali longs for news from John, the 
boy who was taken away. The Widder gos.sips. "I never seen 
sich a womern!" "You'd think slie v.^as a queen livin' in New 
York at tlie Walled-off Castoria." Lowisy is disappointed in 
Brother Guggs and decides to set her cap for Jonah. Deljorah 
mortgages the old home for Charley and Isabel. The sleighing 
party. "Where is my wandering boy tonight?" The face at the 
window. Enoch and Jolm. "I've been weak and foolish, a thing 
of scorn, laughed at, mocked at, an e.x -convict with the sliadow 
of the prison ever before me, but all that is passed. From now 
on, witli the help of God, I am going to be a man!" 

Act III. — The Prodigal Son. Two years later. Deborah bids 
farewell to tlie old liome before slie goes over the hills to the 
poorliouse. "The little liome where I've lived since John brought 
me liome- as a bride." The bitterest cup — a pauper. "It ain't 
right, it ain't fair." Gloriana and the baby. "There ain't nothin' 
left fer me, nothin' but the poorhouse." The sheriff comes to take 
Aunt Deb over the hills. "Your boy ain't dead. He's come back 
to you, rich and respected. He's here!" The return of the prod- 
igal son. Jerry gets excited and yells, "Glory Hallelujah!" The 
joy and happiness of Deborah. "Honor thy father and thy 
mother that thy days may be long in the land." 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Larse Catalogue Free 



Trial of Hearts, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

(25c) 6 18 

Trip to Storyland, IH hrs.(2Sc) 17 23 

Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 2l4 hrs.(25c) 8 3 
Under Blue Skies, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (2Sc) 7 10 

When Smith Stepped Out, 3 

acts, 2 hrs (35c) 4 4 

Winning Widow, 2 acts, V/2 hrs. 

(25c) 2 4 

Women Who Did, 1 hr...(25c) 17 

FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. 
Price 15 Cents Each 

All on a Summer's Day, 40 min. 4 6 

April Fools, 30 min. 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

Aunt Harriet's Night Out, 35 

min 1 2 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min. ...... 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 5 

Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 

Country Justice, 15 min 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 

Divided Attentions, 35 min... 1 4 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

Fijst-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

^udge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 

Fun in Photo Gallery, 30 min.. 6 10 

Getting Rid of Father, 20 min. 3 1 

Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 
Great Pumpkin Case, 30 min.. 12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min 4 3 

Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 

Lottie Sees It Through, 35 min. 3 4 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Jenkins' Brilliant Idea, 35m. 8 

Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 m. 3 2 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. 6 3 

Please Pass the Cream, 20 min. 1 1 

Second Childhood, 15 min 2 2 

Shadows, 35 min •_ . 2 2 

Sing a Song of Seniors, 30 min. 7 

Smith's Unlucky Day, 20 min.. 1 1 

Taking Father's Place, 30 mm. 5 3 

That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 

Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 

Two Gentlemen in a Fix, IS m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min.. 8 



Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 2 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 
Watch, a Wallet, and a Jack of 

Spades, 40 min 3 6 

Whole Truth, 40 min 5 4 

Who's the Boss? 25 min 3 6 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 

Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 

VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- 
OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 
Price IS Cents Each 

Amateur, 15 min 1 1 

At Harmony Junction, 20 min. 4 

Axin' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 

Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.lO 
Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min..,. 2 1 

Colored Honeymoon, 25 min... 2 2 
Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min. 1 1 
Coming Champion, 20 min.... 2 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m.l4 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Dajktown Fire Brigade, 25 min. 10 
Doings of a Dude, 20 min.... 2 1 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min ..21 
Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min. 1 1 
Good Mornin' Judge, 35 min.. 9 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! IS min 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hungry, 15 min 2 

Little Miss Enemy, 15 min.... 1 1 
Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 

Memphis Mose, 25 min 5 1 

Mischievous Nigger, 25 min.. 4 2 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Oh, Doctor! 30 min 6 2 

One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 

Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10m. 1 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Si and I, IS min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Street Faker, IS min 3 

Such Ignorance, 15 min 2 

Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 

Time Table, 20 min 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of'Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, IS min.. 3 

Umbrella Mender, IS min 2 

What Happened to Hannah, ISm. 1 1 

A great number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed in 

Denison's Catalogue 



T.S.DENISON&COIVIPANY,Publishers,154W. Randolph St., Chicago 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



016 215 118 6 

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 

Price, Illustrated Paper Covers, 35 cents each 




IN this Series 
are found 
books touching 
every feature 
in tht enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
good paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
er design. 
A Partial List 
DIALOGUES 

All Sorts of Dialogues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

Very clever; for young people. 
Children's Comic Dialogues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Country School Dialogues. 

liiiuid new, original. 
Dialogues for District Schools. 

For country schools. 
Dialogues from DicUens. 

Thirteen selections. 
Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

Over G0,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Humorous Homespun Dialogues. 

For older ones. 
Little People's Plays. 

From 7 to 13 years of age. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
Merry Little Dialogues. 

Thirty-eight original selections. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 
, Original successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People, 

A child's speaker. 
The Comic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 
Dialect Readings. .v, 

Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. 
The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 
The Frida>f Afternoon Speaker. 

For pupils of all ages. 
Humorous Monologues. 

Particularly for ladies. 
Monologues for Young Folks. 

Clever, humorous, original. 



Monologues Grave and Gay. 

Dramatic and humorous. 
Scrap- Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, orose, 
poetry. 15 Nos.,. per No. 35c 

DRILLS 

The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originalitv. 
Little Plays With Drills, 

For children from 6 to 11 years. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and niarchcs. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys' Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Invitations, decorations, games. 
The Christmas Entertainer. 

Novel and diversified. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

lintertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
Good Things for Sunday Schools. 

Dialogues, exercises, recitations. 
Good Things for Thanksgiving. 

A gem of a book. 
Good Things for Washington- 

and Lincoln Birthdays. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pictured Readings and Tableaux. 

Entirely original features. 
Pranks arid Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenic Readings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fingers and Sway- 
ing Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

The Black-Face Joker. 

Minstrels* and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches, etc. 
Laughland,vla the Ha-Ha Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Negro Minstrels. 

All about the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. 

Funny stories, j okes, ga gs, etc. 

Larse Illustrated CataloKue Free 



T.S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers, 154 W. Randolph St. , Chicago 



